GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The city government has acquired a modern mammography machine as it continued the upgrading and expansion of the city hospital’s services.
Glenville Gonzales, administrator of the local government-run Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital, said Thursday they are now offering mammography service to patients from this city and the neighboring areas.
He said the city government invested around P17 million for the purchase of the Fujifilm Innovality Mammography Machine, which is used to detect breast cancer and related ailments.
The unit was supplied by Prolife Healthcare System Corporation, a company operated by a municipal councilor of Kumalarang in Zamboanga del Sur, he said.
Gonzales said the Fujifilm mammography machine is considered as among the top-of-the- line and most modern, with better features and capabilities when compared to other units.
In Mindanao, he said only the city hospital and the Davao Regional Medical Center in the Davao City has such kind of equipment.
He said the machine is also being used in other countries, especially some hospitals in California in the United States.
“This is a proof that the machine has advanced capabilities and can match up with the qualities of many modern mammography machines,” Gonzales said.
City Councilor Franklin Gacal Jr. initially proposed last year the acquisition of the mammography machine.
The council passed an initial budget for such purpose that was later augmented by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to facilitate the purchase of a “high-end digital mammography machine.”
Rivera said that the acquisition of the mammogram machine is necessary to the further improve the services of the city hospital.
Last year, the city government opened a dialysis center as part of the expansion of the Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital.
"We’ve been making improvements to our city hospital every year. Aside from the renovation of its structures, we’re also adding different medical equipment that would cater to the needs of our constituents," he said.
Since mammography services are expensive when availed in private hospitals, the mayor “guaranteed” that it will be much cheaper at the city hospital.(PNA)
